This is based on characters used in Ripper Street (most aren't mine!) and uses references from all the episodes in the series (which I most definitely do not own). There will be sexual and violent content. Don't like don't read and certainly don't moan like a bitch about it. I welcome all criticisms and lovely reviews! Enjoy!

Lonely Boy

I got a love that keeps me waiting

The reason Matthew was chosen for this particular task was because he seemed rather dead on the inside. Not in an obvious way as he was a character and was loved and loathed by many, some even felt both ways about him. He was for the most part honest but also intelligent and a damn fine surgeon. An even better shot with no qualms about needing to kill when necessary. But the one thing that did not seem to ever affect him was love. Sure he enjoyed a touch of a woman, but it never went further than that.

Theodore Swift was a man of simple loves, he believed. He loved his money, his loved his business that generated money and he loved his daughter. The love he had for his daughter burnt the more fiercely as his wife had been taken from him during the epidemic of Cholera that had swept Chicargo. She was the spitting image of her mother Caitlin, her bright green eyes and flowing blond hair. Even her slender yet womanly figure seemed to step out of her mothers exact shadow. Theodore was not a stupid man, he knew that Caitlin was also the one thing that could undo all that he had built. His love was also his weakness, if anyone got hold of her he would do absolutely anything to get her back.

He went to the Pinkerton's to find a man where this weakness would not exist. He had tried other bodyguards yet they all seemed to either fall hopelessly for Caitlin or leave without muttering a word why. How his angel could drive so many men insane was beyond him, but he dared not leave her without protection. The Pinkerton's were a last resort, Theodore was weary of a man whose loyalty lied with the highest bidder and they were sometimes viewed as mad dogs on leashes. All it took was a fool to let them run wild. Yet he was out of any other options. Time was short and soon he would be on a ship to the Caribbean to inspect his new fleet. He needed guards not only for Caitlin but for his property and his other revenues.

He was pointed to group of men, five in total. There was one that particularly interested him, Matthew Judge. The man who couldn't or wouldn't love. The rumours surrounding him did not clarify whether he had chosen this lifestyle or not but that did not interest Theordore. All that interested him was that Matthew could not be corrupted and could protect himself and Caitlin.

The five men were seated outside a huge military tent, sat around a table playing cards. There was a mess of treasures and cards scattered on the chipped wooden table, all smoking cigarettes or pipes. One of the men looked above his cards and stared at Theodore approaching them. Taking a long drag on his cigarette, he placed his cards down and lent back in his wooden chair folding his arms. The others followed suit putting their cards down and stared at the approaching gentleman.

Theodore took note that they were all quite well dressed in shirts and waistcoats, jackets and hats. He himself was wearing black suit trousers firmly pressed into shape and a crisp white lien shirt with a light woolen waistcoat. His servant who held up an umbrella over Theodore's head to keep the glaring sun at bay was carrying his jacket.

"Good day gentlemen. Do I have the pleasure of finding myself in the company of Matthew Judge, Frank Goodnight, William Goodnight, Thomas Ernest and Joseph Arch?" Theodore asked in his booming voice, smiling pleasantly. The man who laid his cards down first tipped his hat up and looked into Theodore's eyes inquisitively.

"Depends on whose asking and what he be asking." The man took a last drag of his cigarette and threw it on the ground beside him. Theodore chuckled, he couldn't quite believe that this man was trying to intimidate him. He obviously had no idea who he was dealing with.

"Well, let me introduce myself. I am Theodore Swift, I run a business within international shipping. I am looking to hire some, shall we say, help." Theodore glanced at all the men, trying to decipher who Judge was. Theodore was not made of patience, but he did like the way the group already were handling themselves.

"Well Mr Swift, you indeed do find yourself in that pleasure. I'm Frank Goodnight. This is my brother William and these are Ernest, Arch and Judge." Frank introduced the group with each nodding as his name was called. Theodore stared at the man shown to be Judge. He had a firm face and looked clean enough. Smiling Theodore walked closer to the group who all rose to shake his hand. William offered him his chair and went into the tent to retrieve another. Frank was clearly the self pronounced leader with his heavy eyes and jaw, small scars scattered over his face and hands. His moustache and muttonchops tinged in grey but he looked strong and his eyes constantly flickering around betraying him as paranoid and dangerous. William, the younger brother, spoke clearly and politely. His clean shaven face outlined by shaggy dark brown hair pushed back looked harden somehow, though his eyes bright the scar down his cheek and across following where his lips ended to the spot just before his ear portrayed his past as being a particularly nasty one. As hard and dangerous as Frank was, Theodore could see he was protective of his brother. Thomas seemed on edge, chewing on a match he rolled between his teeth. His dark red hair was waxed into a center parting and was obviously a source of pride, his beard trimmed and shaped just covering his chin. He also played with a switchblade, opening and flicking the blade out before pushing it back in its wooden case before flipping it out again. Joseph had dirty blond hair swept back into a short ponytail. His shirt was the only one slightly undone and his muttonchops looked slightly out of control. His hands were the most fascinating for Theodore as clearly at some point all of his fingernails had been removed from his left hand. His eyes looked cold and unblinking. Then there was Judge. The man wore the most colourful suit with different greens and yellows striped and checkered across his waistcoat and trousers. His dark hair was pushed back under his hat, a dark red handkerchief tied around his neck and a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. He leant back in his chair, his feet on the table. Theodore did notice one thing; his hands were incredibly steady and still. Surgeon hands.

Theodore was given coffee and brandy whilst he proposed to this group his job he needed them to do. It was simple really, they protected his property and his investments using whatever force was necessary whilst he was away and they could live in the house with them. Not only would they be fed and clothes for this job, they would be paid most handsomely and find no shortage of weapons and carriages he assured them. After discussing and agreeing on the finer details, a deal was struck some hours later and Theodore mostly happy with the terms shook Frank's hand to seal it. Sitting back in the chair he smiled and turned to Matthew who had drunk solidly throughout the discussion.

"Ah, Mr Judge. I have a particular job for you and your expertise."

This chapter was to introduce the group and set the scene! The next chapter will have a lot more happening in it! Hope you enjoyed it though and will stick by me to see the rest ;)